Thank Snowden for privacy debate, but don't glorify him

3:18 PM,
Mar. 16, 2014

Written by

Richard M. Harrison

Since its start in 1987, the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, has become famous for its cutting-edge music and film performances, in addition to a focus on technology. But this year's festivities featured a little something extra: a virtual appearance by controversial National Security Agency whistle-blower Edward Snowden.

The showcase given to Snowden has refocused attention on the international debate that was ignited in 2013 by his disclosures of widespread government surveillance. But what still is poorly understood - and was largely ignored by the sympathetic SXSW ...